• *Le Mali* ~Ancient Crossroads of Africa~


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Population-

  • As of april 2009 the population was 14,517,176.
  • Annual population growth rate: 2.4%


Geographical features-



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Rivers: Niger, Senegal, Bafing, and BakayeLakes: Débo, Faguibine, Manantali, and SélinguéMountains: Bambouk Mountains, Mount Homboli, Manding Mountains, and Mount Tenakourou

  • Le Mali is located in Western Africa.
    • The capital is Bamako.
    • It is the 24th largest country of the world.external image images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQIWLuWAYBSk3QDwMCo9WxGlVLquxdSWex5XyxHUOaozo-MhEgUpA
    • Although there is a fertile area where the Niger and Senegal rivers provide waters, most of its lands are not suitable for agriculture.
    • Mali is the tropical country where the rays of sun are directly hit. There are two days each year that the sun passes directly overhead.
    • It stretches across the Sahara (which means "desert" in Arabic) and Sahal ( which means "shore"). It is also known as the shore of "sea of sand." Sahal has short grasses and small bushes.
    • It is landlocked; it has no coastlines. This feature causes a problem for international commerce which mostly goes by ocean. ←Because it is less expensive!
    • Ancient Mali was located in one of the world's most profitable trade routes; Camels, known as "ships of the desert" carried salt to be traded gold and other sources such as nuts, grains.


  • Climate


The condition in Mali is varied. In northern Shari zone, it is hot and dry (only 8 inches of rainfalls) while it is hot and humid in the subtropical south of Mali (55 inches of rainfalls).
    • Rainfalls
      • There is a raining season in the south for about five months, June to October, but no rains in the north. In the middle section of Mali, there is also a raining season but it lasts for three months, June to August. The dry season is in November to May.
    • Temperature
      • November to February has cooler temperature that you might feel cold at the nights in the north. April to June is extremely hot and so is in December because of the hot and dry Harmattan wind. The average temperature is 86 ゜F.


Therefore......
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History of Mali-The history of this once great country began with the Ghana Empire.This Empire was mainly populated by Sonike People the Native language was Mande,This empire began in the early 5th century.But it reached its peak arount the year 750A.D and began to fall around 1500A.D.

After this there were many different Empire:Mali,Songhay,and the Morrocan..But unlike it prevous ansestor they couldnt duplicate the success of the empires.So now that there are no more empires no state holds primary control.

French Colonization-1892-1960

The first leader during the french occupation was a man by the name of French Sodan.He was a civilian appointed by the french rulers at the time.During his term Mali Faced many challanges,economic,agricultural.So the were forced to join the Franc Zone in 1967.

Independance-1960-Present

they are now only ruled under one party called the Democracy.The Most famous of the leaders of Mali was Konare..because he was the first leader in their countries history to step down.









Videos-

Tour of Mali
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaMRzgmlbWU&feature=related






Example of Traditional Mali Mud Cloth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD1sPJfgAvI&feature=related





Traditional music: At Segu Festival
music




Things To Do-


  • Bamako- the capital city of Mali is alive with music and markets! There are also museums: Musée de Bamako, Musée National du Bamako, and Musée Muso Kunnda etc.images.jpg
▲The National Museum of Mali exhibits the prehistory of Mali, the musical instruments, dress, and ritual objects so you can learn Mali's various ethnic groups




  • Dogon country- the most visited area where is also known as the one of the most stunning in the country. The Dogon people arrived in the 14th-15th century, after refusing from the Islam. You will hear the melodic greetings as walking through the villeges. They are agricultual. They irrigate millet, cotton, and onion with buckets. On the cliffs, the Tellem people live in the cave-like homes and the lower lands are shared with the Fulani people.
  • Guide Above Banini
    Guide Above Banini














  • Mopti- the lively port that connected to Dogon country. You can explore the market of Marché Souguni and the Misire Mosque.

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  • Segou- this Mali's second largest city is located in the northwest of Bamako. Segou was an iportant city to France and it was the center of the agricultural development. You can see colonial archtecture along the main road, the quiet port on the Niger, and the market where the famous Segou pottey is sold.
    Segou Street Scene
    Segou Street Scene
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